Korra looked at Jinora in utter shock. She couldn't fight with her about the matter, but then again Jinora was a simple child and probably had no clue what was going on. The idea that she found imprinting romantic was sicken to Korra's stomach.
It was like someone had shoved poison down into her stomach, and there was nothing that she could do about it. She turned her attention back to Tahno, who was casually standing there as if he thought he belonged here.
"What is the matter with you Tahno?" Korra crossed her arms.
"Even if you cared about Jinora, which I don't think you do at all considering you just met her and know nothing about her, you shouldn't even think about imprinting on her. That's one of the sickest ideas I've ever heard in my life."
Tahno sighed. He just wanted them to understand. It wasn't like he was trying to force Jinora into having a relationship with him. He just wanted the chance to get to know her without others interrupting.
"Look, Uh-vatar, with all do respect, I think you're looking at this in an all negative perspective. In reality, I think it would be good for Jinora to have somebody imprint on her. She would have the best care. Along with having certain romantic feelings, it also means that I would give my life to protect her. I would use every ounce of my resources to make sure that she was safe and had everything she could dream of. Don't you think that would be good for her?"
Korra curled her lip. It did seem like a good idea for Jinora to have someone to watch out for her, care for her, and want her to have everything she wanted, but why did that person have to be Tahno?
"I think in some aspects it's good, but you have to understand mine and Tenzin's position on this. Jinora is his little girl and like my little sister. I couldn't bare the thought of someone using her."
Tahno shook his head, opening his mouth to speak.
"No, Tahno, just listen okay? I think imprinting is just gross and you shouldn't have waltzed up here and expected us to be okay with the idea. I'm not going to give you my blessing or anything and really it's not up to me. You're going to have to talk to Tenzin. That's his daughter."
Korra shook her head and turned back to Mako and Bolin. There wasn't anything she could do about it but hope that Jinora gains some common sense. What had he expected them to say? That it was all okay?
"Korra, are you okay?" Mako placed his hands on her hips, drawing her closer. What would their relationship be like if imprinting was involved? Would she love him as much as she did now? Would their physical encounters be awkward? She shuddered at the idea. Mako wasn't the kind of guy that Tahno was. He would never imprint on someone. Would he?
"No, Mako, I'm not. What would you do if Bolin was 13 and some 17 year old woman came up and tried to get with him and claim him as some sort of prize? I can't even imagine anyone doing that to someone's child."
"It's just not my way but clearly things are changing. I mean now it's legal in Republic City, and who knows how many other parts of the world are legalizing it now."
Korra sighed. She could feel the burning feeling that warned of tears. No you can't cry. Not here. Not now. The voice inside her head warned. She knew her thoughts were right, she was going to have to suck it up and hoped Jinora knew what was best for her.
"I think im going to go talk to Jinora while Tenzin and Tahno are talking." Mako nodded, planting a small kiss on her cheek that screamed with love and affection.
Jinora approached where they were standing. "You wanna talk?" She muttered.
"Obviously, yeah. I do." Korra heard her tone, seeping with malice. Jinora instantly took a step back.
Korra's mind warned her to be careful. At this point she needed Jinora on her side and not against her to get through to her.
"Do you even understand what's really going on?" Korra lead them to the side of the mountain.
"Kind of. I got to talk to Tahno alone for a minute and he said that he wasn't going to force me to feel anything. He just wanted to get to know me. It's not my ideal relationship but even if it doesn't work out, I would still have some experience and idea of what imprinting is."
Korra sighed. "I don't think you really get how painful this is for everyone. It's not just some fun little relationship you can end at anytime. Tahno would have a claim of some sort on you. He would have to agree to leave. If he says no, you're going to have to deal with that."
"Please stop Korra," Jinora pressed her fingers to her temples. "I know the risk, but I saw the look in his eyes when he asked me. I really do think he has changed and I think he wants to make the best of his future and he clearly wants me to be a part of his so why not try?"
"I don't know what to say to make you understand. I just don't think it's going to be like the normal relationship you're expecting."
"Just let me make my choice okay?!" Jinora's voice was rising, and getting shaky.
"Fine!" Korra's nose wrinkled up, the signal that she was at the end of her rope and was getting mad. "I won't be there for you!"
Stomping off from Jinora, she passed Tahno on the way. The urge to punch him was crawling under every ounce of her skin. "May I talk to Jinora now?" He asked.
"Go ahead." Korra muttered through clenched teeth.
"Thank you."
"How are you." He smiled, sitting down beside Jinora.
"I'm okay. A little confused and getting slightly upset."
"I'm sorry. I think I came about this all wrong. I never meant to cause any trouble for you."
"Don't worry about it. I think it will all work out. I want to try this out but I just need you to agree to one thing," she said carefully.
"What's that?"
"Well, actually two. First, I want you to tell me what you talked about with my father and I want you to agree to leave and let me out of this if I want out."
"In some emotional way, we'll always be connected because of the imprinting but I will leave and try to find a life without you."
Jinora nodded "Okay. What about the conversation with Tenzin?"
"He just wanted to know what my angle was. They think that I have some motive other than just wanting to be with you. "
"Do you?" She pressed.
"No, of course I don't. I know it sounds creepy because of our age but that doesn't mean anything. I feel like you belong in my heart. Like I need you and I couldn't live without you. You can't tell me that you don't feel anything. That just isn't possible."
Something sparked in Jinora's eyes. "I do feel something. You give me butterflies and my heart feels like it belongs to you, but I'm only thirteen. What do I know, right?" She gave him a fake smile.
"Please don't talk like this. Let's just see where this takes us okay? We can stop anytime you want."
Jinora nodded, taking Tahno's hand. His fingers curled around hers. "Let's go." He stood up, pulling Jinora to her feet.
Jinora led Tahno over to Tenzin "I'm going to try this daddy. It feels right with Tahno next to me."
A look of disgust washed over Tenzin's face "I could stop you, but I'm going to let you make your own mistake."
"Fine. I wish you would support me more than you are but I won't stop you."
Tahno sighed and let go of her hand. "I'm sorry sir, that you feel this way about Jinora and me, but I can't just pretend that I'm not supposed to be with her. I feel like she completes me."
Tenzin pursed his lips, turning away, "Very well. Do as you wish."
Jinora sighed. "I wish you were more happy about this father. I dont want to disappoint my family."
"I'm done with this subject, Jinora."
-Time Break-
A few days have passed since Tahno came to the mountain. It was uncomfortable to say the least. It felt like no one really wanted him here but there was an awkward politeness that filled the room whenever he entered.
Jinora was quieter than anyone had ever seen her. No one was sure if it was because of the fight, or if something else was happening between her and Tahno.
"Here is some baked bread for you kids." Pema smiled, sitting the basket down.
"Thank you." Tahno smiled, breaking his piece into little bits.
Korra smashed her bread, while pretending it was Tahno's face. As much as she wanted to be there for Jinora she couldn't. Tahno was always doing things toward her that made Korra so mad she couldn't stand it, things like talking about how beautiful she was, encouraging her errors, etc.
"Well what do you want to do for your birthday Jinora?" Pema smiled lovingly at her daughter, petting her hair down.
"Oh, well, actually Tahno was going to take me out and we were going to have a nice dinner and go watch some bending matches in Republic City." She looked down, not making eye contact with anyone.
"What do you mean? That's almost a days trip. You're only 13!"
"I'm almost 14. Plus, Tahno will be with me!"
"No!" Tenzin rose from his seat. "You will not go anywhere with Tahno. Not now. Not Ever!"
Jinora shoved her food away. "I'll do what I want!" She yelled, running out the door. Tahno pursed his lips. Standing slowly, and followed Jinora. "I must say, I expected this response. I'm not sure how this will effect the plan, seeing how Jinora clearly wants to come."
Tenzin gripped his glass tightly, causing it to shatter and the shards to embed in his skin.
Korra slipped through the door after them. She could understand where Jinora was coming from, wanting to spend the night with her 'boyfriend,' but she had to understand.
"Jinora? We need to talk about this whole going away for the weekend business." She sighed and sat down beside both of them.
"You need to understand how Tenzin is feeling right now. You're thirteen years old, thinking you can run around doing what you please because some sicko imprinted on you."
"Please stop referring to me as that," tahno sighed.
"Stop being like that" She shot back.
He stalked off, leaving her alone with Jinora and her icy stare.
"What do you want me to do, Korra? Wait doesn't matter. I'm doing what I want." Jinora's words were peppered with sass. This was new for her.
She stood, not giving Korra a second look.
Night fell over the mountains, Tahno and Jinora haven't had any contact with anyone but each other over the last few hours. Korra was worried that this was getting out of control and she didn't know how to handle it.
Tahno continued to fold their clothes and set them into two different bags. "Are you ready to leave?" He smiled curtly, placing his fingers on Jinora's face, and tracing her jaw line.
"Of course I am" She smiled, but a sickened feeling lay in the pit of her stomach and she didn't know how to comfort it.
"Good" He grabbed the bags, shoved them out the window, helped Jinora, and they were off into the night of untold fortune.
Thanks for reading my almost two-year late update!
Editors: TuiAndLa & flameyokataang
Don't forget to review and give me your thoughts!